The Process of Earning a Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107)

What Is the Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) and Why Does It Matter?

If you want to fly a drone commercially in the United States — whether for aerial photography, real estate, infrastructure inspection, or any other business purpose — you need a Remote Pilot Certificate under FAA Part 107. This certificate is the FAA's official authorization for small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) operations, and earning it demonstrates that you understand the rules, airspace, and safety standards required to operate safely in the National Airspace System (NAS). The process of earning a Remote Pilot Certificate is more straightforward than many people expect, but it does require genuine preparation and a solid grasp of aviation concepts. In this guide, we'll walk you through every step from eligibility to certificate in hand.

Am I Eligible for a Remote Pilot Certificate?

Before you start studying, it's worth confirming that you meet the FAA's basic eligibility requirements for Part 107 certification. While you should always verify current requirements at faa.gov/uas, the long-standing criteria include the following:

• Age: You must be at least 16 years old.
• Language: You must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
• Physical and mental fitness: You must be in a physical and mental condition that does not interfere with safe drone operations. Note that Part 107 does not require an FAA medical certificate — this is a significant advantage over manned aircraft certificates.
• Trustworthiness: You must not have had a Remote Pilot Certificate revoked within a certain period preceding your application. Check faa.gov for the specific interval.

If you meet these criteria, you're ready to begin the certification journey.

Step 1 — Study for the Aeronautical Knowledge Test

The cornerstone of the Remote Pilot Certificate Part 107 process is passing the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test, officially known as the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) exam. This is a proctored, multiple-choice test administered at FAA-approved testing centers across the country. You'll need to pay a testing fee, and you should confirm current fees and approved test centers through the FAA or PSI, the testing provider.

The exam covers a broad range of topics drawn from the Part 107 Airman Certification Standards (ACS). Key subject areas include:

• Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operations
• Airspace classification, operating requirements, and flight restrictions
• Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance
• Small unmanned aircraft loading and performance
• Emergency procedures
• Crew resource management
• Radio communication procedures
• Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft
• Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol on the remote pilot in command
• Aeronautical decision-making and judgment
• Airport operations
• Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures

Many of these topics will feel unfamiliar if you have no aviation background, which is exactly why structured study matters. Our FAA-certified instructors at Aviation Test Prep have built an ACS-aligned study system specifically designed to help you master these concepts efficiently.

Step 2 — Use a Structured Study Method

Passing the Part 107 knowledge test isn't just about memorizing answers — it's about genuinely understanding how airspace works, how to read sectional charts, and how weather affects your drone flights. Aviation Test Prep's 5-step study method is designed to build that real understanding:

1. Assess your baseline: Start with a diagnostic session to identify your strengths and knowledge gaps before you invest time in areas you already know.
2. Learn the concepts: Work through topic-by-topic lessons that cover every ACS knowledge area for the UAG exam.
3. Practice with ACS-aligned questions: Drill ACS-aligned practice questions that mirror the style and difficulty of the actual test. Each question comes with an AI-enhanced explanation so you understand the why behind every answer.
4. Review your weak areas: Use your performance data to focus your remaining study time where it will make the biggest difference.
5. Simulate test conditions: Take full-length timed practice exams to build confidence and reduce test-day anxiety.

Our AI tutor, Ace, is available throughout your study sessions to answer follow-up questions, clarify confusing concepts, and help you connect the dots between related topics. Think of Ace as a knowledgeable study partner available 24/7 — though always remember that Ace is a study aid and not a substitute for official FAA guidance or a certificated instructor.

You can explore the full range of available exams, including the UAG, at aviationtestprep.com/browse-exams, and if you want to see how the ACS knowledge codes map to specific question topics, check out our ACS Codes reference page.

Step 3 — Schedule and Pass the Knowledge Test

Once you feel prepared, it's time to schedule your exam. You can register through PSI, the FAA's designated testing provider. You'll need to create an account, pay the testing fee, and select a convenient testing center and date. Bring a valid government-issued ID on test day. The exam is closed-book, but you will be provided with certain aeronautical charts and supplemental materials to reference during the test — practicing with these materials beforehand is highly recommended.

When you pass, you'll receive a passing score report. Hold onto this document — you'll need it for your certificate application. The passing score and test format details are available at faa.gov, and it's worth confirming them before you sit down to test, as the FAA periodically updates its exams.

Step 4 — Apply for Your Certificate Through IACRA

After passing the knowledge test, you'll apply for your Remote Pilot Certificate through the FAA's Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system, available online at iacra.faa.gov. The process involves:

• Creating or logging into your IACRA account
• Starting a new application for a Remote Pilot Certificate with an sUAS rating
• Entering your knowledge test information (including your exam ID number from your score report)
• Certifying the accuracy of your application

You do not need a flight review, a medical exam, or a logbook for the Part 107 certificate — the knowledge test and IACRA application are the primary steps. Once the FAA processes your application, you'll receive a temporary certificate via email, which is valid for a defined period while your permanent plastic certificate is mailed to you. Confirm current processing timelines at faa.gov, as they can vary.

Step 5 — Understand Your Ongoing Responsibilities

Earning your Remote Pilot Certificate is a milestone, but it's also the beginning of your responsibilities as a certificated airman. Under Part 107, you must:

• Stay current with FAA regulations, which are updated periodically
• Recurrent testing: Remote pilots are required to pass a recurrent aeronautical knowledge test or complete an online recurrent training course within a specified interval to maintain currency. Verify the current recurrency requirement at faa.gov.
• Register your drone with the FAA if it meets the weight threshold (check faa.gov for current limits)
• Follow all applicable airspace authorizations, including using the FAA's LAANC system for controlled airspace access where required
• Report any accidents that meet FAA reporting thresholds

The regulatory environment for drone operations continues to evolve, so making a habit of checking faa.gov/uas and staying engaged with resources like the Aviation Test Prep blog will help you stay informed long after you earn your certificate.

How Long Does the Process Take?

The timeline varies by individual, but many candidates with no prior aviation background find that several weeks of focused study — using a structured platform — is sufficient preparation for the UAG exam. Candidates who already hold a manned aircraft certificate may find the process shorter, as they can take a streamlined recurrent online course in lieu of the full knowledge test (verify current eligibility for this pathway at faa.gov). There is no minimum study period required by the FAA, so your timeline is largely in your own hands.

Start Your Part 107 Journey Today

The process of earning a Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107 is well within reach for motivated candidates who approach it with the right preparation. From understanding airspace classifications to reading sectional charts and making aeronautical decisions, the knowledge you build during this process will make you a safer, more confident drone operator — and that's the whole point.

Aviation Test Prep gives you ACS-aligned practice questions, AI-enhanced explanations, a smart study tracker, and Ace, your AI tutor, all built around the 5-step study method developed by our FAA-certified instructors. Ready to see what it feels like to study smarter? Take a free Part 107 practice test today and start building the knowledge you need to pass with confidence.